The team needs width - so that means Faubert or Barrera or both. The team needs a left back. Bloody Spector was better than Ilunga. The team needs to find a way of incorporating Nolan - he has looked a shadow of himself so far. The team needs a goalscorer. The team needs to be set up as a 4-4-2 at home.
And somehow, we have to take the tension out of our play at Upton Park. Once upon a time the Boleyn was a fortress, now it is a bloody torture chamber. There is blood on the walls, blood on the pitch and terror in the hearts of the fans and players alike. Where do we go from here? Until there are new recruits, my side would read:
Green
O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, Taylor
Parker
Faubert, Nolan, Barrera
Stanislas, Carew (or Cole)
You dropped Noble? You dropped Noble!!!
ReplyDeleteAgree with the team but I'd maybe go Carew and Cole up top.
ReplyDeleteYep. He was hopeless today. So was Collison. And Noble.
ReplyDeleteI meant Nolan!
ReplyDeleteerm.....peterborough is not a town? its one of the fastest growing cities in the uk and if you stretch to greater peterborough, its actually a lot bigger than you think
ReplyDeletei want to know why stanislas hasnt even been making the bench after such a good pre season and I would rather parker be dropped until we know hes definltey staying as he does not look like the player he was for past 2 seasons and it might teach him that nobodys place is safe. also why is it carew or cole, 2 goals in 2 starts to then drop cole would be the exact thing avram was ridiculed for last season. also somebody explain how tomkins wasnt man of the match today.last thing i know you say leeds deserved at least a point if not all three but if it wasnt for there keeper tomkins would have had a hatrik reid and collison could have scored to
ReplyDeleteI think this is one of those very rare occasions that HF, Stani and I agree, almost (I am not too sure about Reid).
ReplyDeleteCredit to you HF for admitting that Noble (and Collison) were very poor. Sam has to change his formation and tactics. These simply do not work at Upton Park.
We need width and speed at the wings. We need to keep and pass the ball better. We must dominate the midfield and ball possession. The manager should also motivate the players to believe in themselves and play better than they did so far.
It is simply very painful for the fans to watch another game like the two home games we had so far. We allowed two very average teams like Cardiff and Leeds to boss our home games. There is no other word for it. We are rubbish and this needs to change.
I don't think we were unlucky to concede a last minute goal because we have not played better than Leeds. This is what Sam must recognise immediately and make sure he changes the next time. I wonder if he can.
Cmon on HF, yeah players might be sh*t today but you can't say that changes the perspective of the player. You can't honestly say you'd rather start Faubert over collison or noble because both should be starting. If there was someone I would drop it would be Parker cause he can't hold he can't pass, I'm not sure what kind of center mid he is.
ReplyDeleteThis team is too good to be in the championship, but not good enough for the premier. Collison, noble, barrera all should be starters. We need to let their potential go. Putting them behind has beens/ never was (Parker) won't really help the future of west ham.
Parker needs to be kept away from the attacking 18 yrd box!!!He has nothing up front
ReplyDeleteHahaaa!!! It's all coming out now HF!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the way Dale mentions Collison every time he says Noble had a poor game? It's like he cannot criticise Noble on his own and has to chuck in Collison's name to soften the blow to his aching heart, like some sort justification for Noble being crap.
Would Collison, Noble and Nolan be better without Parker? they seemed to sit back yesterday with the attitude 'well if you want to do everything then do everything'and on two or three occasions Parker actually took the ball off our players.
ReplyDeleteHeard Cappello was watching the game. Was this the reason Parker put himself out? Looked like he was playing for himself not the team.
Kevin in Manchester..
ReplyDeleteOn wednesday we were going to cruise promotion - this morning we are crap and not as good as Peterborough ( OK I know you did not actually say that) the point is CALM DOWN.
Alladyce is above all a pragmatist; he'll need a month or two in the heat of battle to get a measure of the team and most of all for the transfer window to close.
In the championship you can storm from lower table to promotion from as late as mid january. Let's have a bit more perspective,a recognition that dumb luck makes it difficult to analyse a team's prospects after four games and less forensic examination of every kick and tackle- we may fcuk it up, then again we not.
However forget everything I just wrote you're at your brilliant best when you're in the grip of righteous anger and brandishing a brand new analysis!
keep taking the stress pills-- I know I am.
Erm, I didn't make the road sign Chris! Is it for the wrong Peterborough?
ReplyDeleteWhen was the last time West Ham dominated a match? Not once in the last 2 years I dont think. Where is the main area on the pitch where domination is gained? That's right, centre midfield. We can't dominate a match because Parker and Noble CAN'T do it. It is so blindingly obvious and I cant believe nobody sees it. We just leave the opposition pass the ball around and when they are so kind as to give us the ball back the two muppets in midfield can't even keep possesion. I would love if we could sell Parker and perhaps give noble a new contract to work at one of the mega store and get in one big athletic midfielder like Dickson Etuhu and a fast goal scorer like Gary Hooper from Celtic. My team would then read:
ReplyDeleteGreen
O'Brien Tomkins Faye McCartney
Barrera Nolan Etuhu Taylor
Cole Hooper
Without the signings:
Green
O'Brien Tomkins Faye McCartney
Barrera Nolan Parker Taylor
Cole Carew
John 0923, i completely agree. I think the rest of the midfield would raise their game if given the opportunity. Capello in the Boleyn watching so Parker was playing for himself.
ReplyDeleteHF, I agree with the team. Carew looked a little slow but clearly has something to offer. He and Stanislas would make a good, balanced pairing.
Taylor and Barerra down the left would also be nice to see. Taylor has a nice cross on him so could play the overlap with Parker coming across to cover the gap when necessary.
Barrera in midfield is a must in my opinion. And I dont give a damn who gets dropped. If he plays and fails, fine. Move on. But to not play him after the summee he had is inexplicable.
ReplyDeleteHF, didnt you write once that the N is a league where the table can flip flop in no time? Maybe it was somewhere else, but regardless it is true. Yes, there are concerns. But this league will be decided by the loooooooong winter and who has the stability to get through it.
My bet is on Sam for that.
Its true that the it is the long game that will count, but the signs are worrying in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the "the it"
ReplyDeleteI really wish Stanislas would actually play more. I think he's got lots of good qualities
ReplyDeleteAn extra the slipped in there.
ReplyDeleteHow's things Kareem?